Chapter 8
Chapter eight
Hayden
I wake up to the scent of cookies baking in the oven. Smiling, I stretch and yawn. Nora must be on one of her baking sprees. It was one of the ways she used to destress when we lived together back before she met her…wait.
I jerk up in bed and take in my surroundings.
The warm comforter slides down my naked body. I squeak, clutching the material to my chest. That’s when I realize I’m in my vacation cabin. I vaguely remember being tired and wanting to take a nap. I should be here alone, but then, who the fuck is making cookies in the kitchen?
Memories lazily flutter to life. I remember waking up and walking into the living room to investigate what was making noise, only to find…
a lion? Then, nothing. Blackness. Then there was that voice.
His voice. No. I shake my head. It was just a nightmare.
There’s no way there was a lion in my cabin.
And there’s no way my alpha rescued me from that beautiful beast.
Christmas music plays in the other room, possibly from the TV or unseen speakers.
And I swear I hear someone humming. Humming?
What on earth is going on? If this is some strange accommodation provided by the lodge, I’ll have to talk to them.
I don’t want anyone in my private space while I’m trying to go through my heat.
Just in case there is someone here, it’s probably best that I put on some clothes. I tug on a sweater and shimmy into my pajama pants. It’s a little hot considering my heat is starting, but it’s better to have clothes on in front of a stranger.
Once dressed, I grab my keychain with my bottle of pepper spray. Better safe than sorry. I doubt some psychopath would break into my cabin and make me cookies, but then again, I don’t know what goes on in the mind of a psychopath.
A remixed version of Jingle Bell Rock starts playing, and a deep masculine voice starts singing along.
Quietly, I peer out of the bedroom door and see an alpha dancing in the kitchen.
From behind, I can tell he’s muscular. He’s wearing a plaid blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
He uses an oven mitt to pull a hot tray of cookies out of the oven before shutting it off.
Okay, seriously. What the hell is happening?
Wait, is this my mother’s dentist? Goddess, what was his name?
I’m going to kill my mom. I step out of the room and clear my throat. The alpha spins around, and I freeze in place, heart pounding. Standing there looking even more handsome than I remember is Thorne. He’s smiling. A patch of flour is dusted on his right cheek.
Dizziness threatens to knock me over. I stumble, reaching for anything nearby to steady myself. My hand catches the back of the sofa, but my knees still tremble.
Thorne rushes forward. “Hey, hey. Steady. Let me help you.”
I blink up at him right as his strong arms wrap around me. He smells of cedar, pine, and something fruity. “I’ve lost my damn mind,” I say out loud. “First the lion, then the guy from my dreams. This can’t be happening,” I murmur.
Thorne’s grip is solid. Steady. He chuckles. “So, I’m your dream man, huh?”
My lips just part with shock, and I stare at him uncomprehendingly. I mean, obviously, because I’m still dreaming. Why would the alpha I’ve spent six years searching for, and thinking about like a lovesick puppy, randomly be baking me sugary treats in a secluded cabin? Like I said—crazy.
“Hey, it’s okay.” His tone is serious now.
“Everything is okay. I’m sorry I scared you earlier, but I promise I won’t hurt you.
” When I don’t say anything, he continues rambling, almost as if he’s nervous.
“I called the front desk, and Branson said that there was an issue with their computer system, and somehow, they double-booked us. He offered us a discount and a very sincere apology, but all the other cabins are currently taken. It looks like we weren’t the only ones double-booked. ”
I clear my throat again. “Ca-can I have a glass of water?” He nods eagerly, encouraging me to sit on the sofa before rushing off to do my bidding. Yeah, I’m still not convinced this isn’t a dream.
When he returns and hands me a glass of water, I take a sip. And then another.
He smiles nervously, joining me on the sofa. The cushion dips under his weight. I take in his handsome face and pause.
He’s different.
This isn’t the spitting image of the man I’ve been dreaming about.
The Thorne I met was thirty-five. Now, while this Thorne still looks young with smooth skin, I can see a few white hairs peppering his beard.
There aren’t many grays in his hair, but they are still there.
And if I’m not mistaken, there are some crow’s feet at the corner of his eyes, but it only makes him look even more distinguished and handsome.
I squirm in my seat, very aware of how my body is reacting to his.
Slick is leaking from me, and I swallow hard, hoping he can’t scent it.
“You aren’t my mother’s dentist, right?” I blurt.
His face scrunches in confusion. “No, I’m definitely not a dentist.”
I sigh in relief. “Thorne?” I whisper.
He nods, studying me, waiting for a reaction.
Oh crap. Does he even remember me? It was just one night.
It’s not like he named his whole damn business after me.
Shit, I look so different. I’ve gained a lot of weight since I last saw him.
I’m curvier. Softer. I’m not the toned young omega he hooked up with.
He reaches out a hand to me, but I jerk back. A pained look crosses his face. “Hayden, talk to me. I promise I won’t hurt you.” He holds both hands up in surrender. “I’m so sorry you had to see me in my lion form like that.”
My head jerks up. “Wait, lion? You were the lion?”
He offers me a small smile. “I promise I can explain everything, but yes, I’m a lion shifter. I can shift between my lion and my human forms. Please don’t be scared.”
I stand and begin pacing. This is insane.
I probably walk back and forth in our tiny cabin for about five minutes before I realize he must be telling the truth.
Either that or this was some long and drawn, fucked up joke.
I glance at Thorne. He looks so worried and wrecked.
Something about that look makes me melt.
Fucking hell, I can’t believe the words that are about to leave my mouth.
I let out a deep breath. “Prove it to me, then.”
“Prove it?”
I nod. “Shift. Show me.”
“Okay,” he says slowly. “Let me know if you change your mind.” Standing, he begins to unbutton his shirt, and holy shit, he’s ripped.
“What are you doing?” I gasp, eyeing his chest.
His Adam’s apple bobs. “I prefer to undress before I shift. I accidentally shifted earlier, and let’s just say, my clothes don’t ever make it during the transition.”
“Oh. All right. You can continue.” Damn, it’s probably not a good idea to let an alpha undress in front of me when I’m going into heat. His shirt falls to the ground. Sweat beads on my forehead. Goddess, did I really sleep with this man way back when? No wonder I’m obsessed.
He kicks his shoes off and tugs his pants down. Thorne stands there in nothing but boxer briefs and socks. His socks come off next, and then his briefs. I don’t even turn away; I just clutch the throw pillow next to me before shoving it on my lap to hide my erection.
Thorne doesn’t laugh. He’s serious, never breaking eye contact. Somehow, that’s turning me on even more. Even though I asked him to do it, I still gasp in shock when he quickly hunches over and shifts in front of me. The shift is so quick I almost wonder if I imagined it.
Thorne sits before lowering his head and crouching. When he rolls onto his back, I realize what he’s doing. He’s trying to prove to me that he isn’t a threat. Slowly, I approach him. I pat his head before jerking my hand back. He closes his eyes and stays perfectly still.
I reach out again, trailing my hand through his mane and giving him scratches under his chin.
A loud purr begins, causing me to giggle.
Feeling brave, I trail my hand to his chest and then lower to his exposed stomach.
I pet him there, and the purring grows louder.
I continue my pets in slow sweeping motions.
The next thing I know, he’s shifting back and climbing over me. I gasp, my cock growing rock hard.
“Hayden,” he growls. “If you keep rubbing my stomach like that, I’m not going to be able to control myself.”
My gaze drops down to his very hard human cock. Dear heaven on earth. “Wait,” I gasp. “Did you just call me Hayden? You remember me?”
Thorne’s brow creases. “Fuck, of course I remember you, Hayden. I’ve spent the past six years remembering you. Missing you. Needing you.”
His hand cups my face, and I close my eyes, leaning into his touch.
“You have no idea, omega,” he continues talking, tone hushed, almost reverent. “If I could go back in time, I would…” His words trail off.
“You would what?” I suck in a deep breath. “Tell me.”
“I wouldn’t let you leave. I would have pulled you back against me and told you it wasn’t meant to be just one night.
That we were meant to know each other. I would beg for your number.
I would hold you all night and kiss you awake in the morning.
I would make love to you until you went into heat.
Then, I would breed you until you were mine. ”
My eyes snap open. I can feel the truth in his words.
“Good,” I whimper. “I want that, because something tells me this is our second chance. Oh, and I’m going into heat.”